Ihoujin, Dungeon ni Moguru

Chapter 83.1: We Gather Under The Black Flag IV – (1)

In one corner of the city, there was a place where countless weapons had been stuck into the ground.

There were swords, spears, large bows, large scythes, the lances used by His Majesty and his men, and also large maces. When I looked closer, I saw that it was not only weapons that had been stuck into the ground, but farming tools as well. All of them were damaged, burned and warped.

What caught my eye was a new mound of dirt. A saddle had been placed on top of it.

This place must be a cemetery.

「The only one buried here is Verxina. The people, the soldiers, and the generals were all turned to ash and have disappeared into the wind. What is here is the proof of their lives. They are nothing more than the pieces of them that I had been able to gather」

The place His Majesty urged me towards had a large hole.

「It's supposed to be for me, but it can't be helped」

「Yes」

I buried the head of the white beast there.

I didn't want the wolves to dig it back up, so I heaped a generous amount of dirt on top of it.

Lastly, Zamonglass' sword……

「You should inherit that」

……was kept in a sheath by me. His Majesty stuck a large lance into the ground as a grave marker in its place.

For the grave of the Scarlet Knight Zamonglass, it’s a shabby thing.

Even if his disciples were to see this grave, none of them would realize who rested in it.

But such is the death of a person, I suppose.

「He had been looking for a place to die. The same as me. To head to the land of the dead as a way to overcome turning ugly from age, what a clumsy man he is」

「Your Majesty, err……… Umm. That beast of Elysium――」

「Hmm, I know. It’s the duty of the Myriad Kings to know. That's also the reason why we worship strength」

That’s what I thought.

They haven't been waging a war with Elysium for nothing.

「How were Zamonglass' last moments?」

「It was an admirable end. As befitting a knight, it was knightly and honorable」

「Then, it can’t be helped[1]」

I saw His Majesty look weary for the first time.

「Your Majesty, are you alright?」

「It's all your fault, you fool」

「Yes」

「This is the time to apologize」

「I'm sorry」

「Hmm」

His Majesty crossed his thick arms with a satisfied air.

「Good grief. When it comes to my vassals, each and every single one of them always dies before I do………」

「That's just a result of your personal magnetism. You might as well resign yourself to it. Or would you rather die right now?」

Said Dugan, who had appeared out of nowhere. Behind the king was that dark-skinned elf. She was hiding her face with her hood, and had a rifle slung on her back.

His Majesty replied, unfazed.

「If we go at it here, the dead will rise from the ashes」

「That would be troubling. Let's go somewhere we can talk in peace」

The two kings talked about inconsequential things as they walked off side by side.

They look close even to the eyes of an outsider. Even though they'll be trying to kill each other tomorrow…… Is this what Myriad Kings are?

Or is this what friendship between men is like?

「Hey, you, hey, hey」

The elf, who had nothing to do, came up and called out to me.

「What?」

「What was that thing that you did back there?!」

She asked me with her eyes sparkling like a child's. She was giving off a very different impression from when I first met her.

「It’s a secret」

As if I'd tell you so easily.

「Come on, isn't it fine?」

She poked me with her elbow.

「Here, I'll give this to you. It's a candy from a foreign land that's hard to come by in this world」

She forced something black into my hand.

A small rhombus-shaped candy? It doesn't have any particular smell.

Maybe it was because I was tired, but I put it into my mouth without thinking.

「Gopfff!」

I choked from the stimulation. The saltiness and bitterness made the saliva that flooded my mouth to turn as bitter as the stomach acid that preceded vomiting. My nose stung from the smell of ammonia. That was what I would expect from something made from licorice and ammonium chloride.

Th, there’s no mistaking what this is.

「This is salmiak licorice, isn't it?」

It's the worst-tasting sweet on Earth. Rather than a sweet, it's more like medicine. It's a candy that hurts people's throats even though it's a throat lozenge.

I refuse to acknowledge this as a finished product!

「How is it? It's delicious, right?」

「It tastes disgusting」

Despite my belief in not wasting food, I spat it out along with my saliva. There is only so much I can stomach.

「What? Tortch said that this is the taste of the foreign lands!」

「Who's that? Someone from Finland?」

「Fin? What did you say?」

「Hey, Maria. Don't tease other people's vassals」

「Okay~」

After being called by Dugan, the dark-skinned elf went over and walked by his side like a daughter.

It was lonely being left all alone, so I raised a question to the three of them.

「Umm, that gigantic wolf from earlier. What is that thing?」

『Huh?』

What, you don't even know that? was written on all three faces.

It feels like it's been a long time since I've gotten that reaction. I'm a foreigner, you know? There are a lot of things that I don't know, alright?

With an expression that said that it couldn't be helped, His Majesty answered.

「That's one of the "old ones". They’ve lived on the left continent since the age of the gods. They appear when there is evil about. I often used to say to my daughters, "If you stay up late, the old ones will open their mouths wide and come eat you."」

Dugan continued after His Majesty.

「This is the third time I've seen one of them. The first was when my father and grandfather were fighting a major battle against Elysium's expeditionary forces. The second time, Dainsleif, it was when your father went one-on-one with the Pope's representative hero.

That was truly a spectacular battle. It's still talked about passionately in my army. And perhaps, maybe, Wolf of Ashtalia, your battle will be talked about in the same way」

………Oh shoot. I just went ahead and called myself that without permission.

「Wolf of Ashtalia, huh?」

His Majesty wore a bitter expression on his face.

I should have known it was a bad idea.

「Though it's only the bones, on the flag of Ashtalia is a dragon. Since ancient times, dragons and wolves have been at odds with each other. Because the dragons' breath turns the death that the wolves feed on into ashes」

Dugan nodded exaggeratedly.

「Mm-hmm, then there's no other way. Dainsleif, I'll welcome him into my army」

Ehhh, I don't wanna.

「I refuse. In all my life, I've never yielded women and vassals to others」

Oh, I feel super relieved.

As expected of you, Your Majesty.

「Now, just sit down as you see fit. I can't provide much of a welcome」

We had returned to the watchtower.

After clearing the snow, each of us took a seat at the table. His Majesty and I were seated side by side, with Dugan and the dark-skinned elf opposite us.

「I'm sure each of us has something to say, especially Dainsleif. But first, listen to what I have to say」

Dugan got the conversation started.

「First of all, tomorrow's battle is postponed」

「Dugan, did you lose your nerve?」

His Majesty was furious.

Dugan snorted in laughter.

「It's a battle stopped by the old wolf. If we resume such a thing, who knows what disaster will befall us? My soldiers aren’t cowards, but they’re all religious. It’s against the teachings of the god of war to jump into a deadly situation by oneself」

「The teachings of the god of war, Vahagundo, huh? As I recall, that god……」

「Yes, there is a legend that he fought side by side with the old ones. For that reason, the wolf is a sacred creature to us. Well, several of my younger vassals have foolishly asked me to allow them to fight that kid there one-on-one, but I doubt they'll be able to match him anyways」

His Majesty placed a hand on my shoulder.

「Souya, I'm late to say it, but that was a splendid battle. You’re a vassal who is too good for me」

「I'm honored and grateful for your words」

「Then, give him to me」

The dark-skinned elf said in a cheery voice.

You know, you've been acting incredibly inappropriately for a while now.

「Souya, this one is……」

「Yes, she is the woman who shot and killed Verxina」

The dark-skinned elf pulled down her hood and revealed her face.

As I thought, she looks a lot like Misuranika-sama. It's like she's the 2P color version.[2]

「Then, foolish king of a dying country. Are you going to kill me?」

She smiled fearlessly.

While releasing his killing intent, His Majesty replied.

「That happened on the battlefield. Avenging the enemy is something to be done on the battlefield. I have no interest in killing a seated woman」

「Well, I'll escape faster than you can swing your sword though」

Her mischievous expression is different from my god's. Hers is much more charming.

「So, Dugan, who on earth is this strange elf?」

「She’s the black elf」

『Huh?』

His Majesty and I raised our voices at the same time.

「That's right, I'm the black elf. The greatest enemy of Elysium, and the king closest to becoming the supreme ruler of the left continent. Prostrate yourself at the mention of this great name. My name is Ri?Maria?Lyrirukaru?Duin?Oruosuouru」

「Hey, stop joking」

Maria grinned broadly at my words.

「I knew it. You know about my name, don't you?」

Ra?Guzuri?Duin?Oruosuouru.

He's the King of Hemu who founded Elysium. The one who drank the abominable blood and became the first beast. Elysium is a homogeneous country comprising only of Hemus. All other races are treated as slaves.

Even supposing that this elf called Maria is a slave, how does she know this old name? No, why does she call herself by it?

「Oruosuouru, you say. I’ve never heard of that name though」

「Your Majesty! Please forget it. It's a name that carries the curse of death. If possible, please do not speak it for the rest of your life. It's a word that will kill you, no, even anyone within earshot. Please never say it out loud again」

I pressed home a warning.

His Majesty is not the kind of person who would do stupid things out of curiosity, but it's better to be safe than sorry. This is a far too dangerous word that turns people into biological weapons just for knowing it.

「Don't worry, seeing that look on your face is enough to tell me how dangerous it is」

「Thank you very much for your understanding」

「And now, Dugan, seeing as she is the black elf, I'm curious to know why you, one of the strongest four Myriad Kings, is following her」

After clearing his throat, Dugan replied.

「I certainly hadn't expected you to even know about her real name. More and more, I want you in my army. Leaving that for later, Dainsleif, this woman's, Maria's bloodline is closely connected to mine. As you well know, my ancestor Robbs was one of the great adventurers of Vindoobunikuru. Nowadays, what the books circulating around the world say about Vindoobunikuru has been censored by Elysium. In our family's secret, authentic stories about Vindoobunikuru, an account of Maria remains.

Duin, the silent. Elder sister of the fifth prince, the twin-faced king Vigantel. Her real name is Ri?Lyridias?Kerustain?Duin?Oruosuouru」

「Dugan, if that's true, does that mean that the name linked to Vindoobunikuru wasn't just someone from Elysium's royal family, but St. Lyridias herself? That's an unbelievable revelation」

I had learned that through Otou-san from the barkeeper.

Master, is he an even more amazing person than I had thought, I wonder? I feel like I haven't seen him for a long time. Aah………I want to eat the thick bacon served in that bar.

「Yes, it's true. There is even physical evidence of that left behind in our family. And the brother of Lyridias. It's written that Vigantel fell in love with an elf during an expedition to the left continent and had a child with her. It’s also written that their dark-haired, dark-skinned child was sealed in the forbidden forest. Maria, show them the proof」

Maria removed a necklace from around her neck.

Attached to it was a pyroxene that had been split in half. Dugan took out a matching pyroxene.

「This is it. This is the proof that had been entrusted to my ancestor Robbs by Lyridias. Proof from the twin-faced king, the split halves of the pyroxene Nesutoerushuwa」

With a click, the stones came together perfectly into one.

「Eh」

I raised my voice in spite of myself.

「Please wait, King Dugan. In that case, that elf……that would make her someone over a thousand years old, right?」

「Yes, it would」

Dugan nodded.

No, no, no, no, elves are long-lived, but they can't possibly live a thousand years.

Maria replied with a nonchalant expression.

「Don't worry, I've only been awake for about thirteen years. When my mother sacrificed herself to the forbidden forest, it took pity on me, as I'm not able to live with either the elves or the Hemus, and made time stand still for me. If I hadn't been awakened by foreigners, I would likely still be sleeping」

To be sure, the passage of time in that forest was strange. But for someone to be from a thousand years ago……

And as expected, this elf had a connection with foreigners.

「Dugan, then this woman is……」

「Yes, she's no descendant of a politician or anything like that. She's the rightful heir to Elysium」

「But she's of mixed race. There's no way those guys will acknowledge her」

Certainly, no matter how thick the blood, there is no way the country of Hemu would acknowledge a mixed-race child with elven blood.

「No, they will acknowledge me」

Maria countered flatly.

「The Elysium of today is no different than how it was a thousand years ago. They elevate themselves using the weakest, and when they die, they use the next weakest as their stepping stone, reaching their hands higher and higher in search of ever-dwindling wealth. I'll say this clearly, it's at its limit. Even the rebellion of the beastkin slaves on the center continent is no longer at a level where it can be contained. Even if they wanted to gather their troops from the different continents, the Popes who jump at shadows wouldn't allow them to do so. On the contrary, they've been executing their own precious troops.

Right now, using my real name, I've been gathering them on the left continent. My name and blood is the perfect salvation for those who have been sent to this ominous and terrifying land to die. As proof of that, I was contacted by the Knight-Order of Ardi」

「I see, it's almost like the rebirth of Vindoobunikuru, isn’t it?」

His Majesty replied while remaining calm.

I honestly can't put it all together.

To sum it up, Maria is the niece of Silent Duin, who is also St. Lyridias, and has the strongest claim to the throne among Elysium's royal family. And she is gathering those who have escaped from that country, which is heading for ruin.

And then……

……what does she want to accomplish?

「That's right. I'm creating a new Vindoobunikuru. But this time, it's not going to be a tale of adventure. It will be a chronicle of war. The country of Hemu, which had been built up over a thousand years, will be destroyed by a half-breed of its own blood」

There was a manic look on Maria’s face.

It's a look brought forth by a negative kind of passion.

「I see, Dugan. I understand now. I understand it very well now」

His Majesty's voice was cold.

「So you understand, Dainsleif. She is the family of someone my ancestors owed a great debt to. I shall follow her. On top of that, she may well be the key to destroying Elysium. You too………follow the black elf. Line up the flag of Ashtalia with ours」

[1] See the previous chapter. It’s Oda Nobunaga’s catchphrase again.

[2] You know how in fighting games, there’s an alternate color scheme for every character in case both players use the same character in order to differentiate between them? That’s what he’s talking about here.

So, according to Dugan, Maria is the daughter of the younger brother of Silent Duin, who is said to be St. Lyridias herself by the bartender as well as Dugan. Looks just like Misuranika. I won’t say too much here. But if you look really deep into what was said last chapter and the first time Wild Hunt was used……

By the way, the twin-faced king is specifically NOT the two-faced king, but it sure sounds similar, doesn’t it? Also, Lyridias was thought by Rasta to be the wife of one of the princes, but according to Dugan, she is their sister.

Maria was awakened thirteen years ago by foreigners, but…who are those foreigners? Who had guns, canned food, candy and uniforms from the advance troops to give to Maria? Also, the Knight-Order of Ardi that contacted her bears the same name as the Ardi from Vindoobunikuru, so they’re likely descendants of Vindoobunikuru as well though they're on Elysium’s side.

Sorry for the split, but it’s going to be a massive 6k word chapter at this rate. Besides, there’s already so much to digest, isn’t it? Will Dainsleif accept and join the black elf? Stay tuned to find out!